Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Thursday strongly opposed the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, which seeks to restrict States’ powers to levy taxes on mineral rights and mineral-bearing lands.
The Lok Sabha passed the Bill on Wednesday while the Rajya Sabha cleared it on Thursday, completing the parliamentary approval process. The Bill will become a law after receiving the President’s assent.
Calling the legislation a “black Bill” and an injustice to the people of Jharkhand, Mr. Soren warned of a massive agitation against the Centre’s move. “The entire nation will witness. Minerals belong to Jharkhand, land belongs to Jharkhand; so why should Delhi decide on our rights and entitlements? In haste, the Central government passed the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, effectively tying Jharkhand’s hands and feet,” he wrote on X.
Jharkhand holds about 40% of the country’s total minerals.
“It is a severe blow to their development and future. Jharkhand will not tolerate this stepmotherly treatment. In Jharkhand, schemes providing social security to millions – such as the Maiya Samman Yojana, Abua Awas Yojana, pensions, education, health, and others – will be on the verge of closure. The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha strongly opposes this,” the Chief Minister said.
Mr. Soren added that there will be fierce opposition to the move in “every district, every block, every panchayat, every town”.
“If the Central government does not come to its senses and fails to restore to Jharkhand and its people their rights and entitlements, Jharkhand will not shy away from taking decisive and historic decisions either,” he said.
Published – August 14, 2026 01:14 am IST
